Culture & History Tour of Peru: Lima to Machu Picchu- 10 Days

Highlights

• See the colonial highlights of Lima and take a cooking class
• Go river-rafting in Arequipa and hike through canyons
• Stay in local villages and participate in ancient ceremonies
• Visit Inca ruins like Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Lima, Explore

Welcome to Peru! A prime destination for history buffs, nature lovers, and foodies, this South American nation's rich cultural heritage dates back well over a thousand years to the time of the Incas (and even before). Much of this historical legacy has been preserved in Peru's many ancient ruins, the most famous of which is Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. But there are many other stunning examples of Indigenous architecture here, often sitting alongside awe-inspiring cathedrals and plazas from the Spanish-colonial era.

You'll arrive in Lima, a handsome capital city that enjoys a breezy location on the coast with soaring bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. At the airport, a driver will pick you up at the terminal and transfer you to your hotel in the upscale Miraflores neighborhood. The ride takes about an hour, and after checking into your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day to explore Lima on a self-guided tour.

Perhaps you want to start in the historic center, which is filled with Spanish-colonial landmarks, such as the Lima Cathedral, which dates to 1535. For culture and history, head to Museo Larco, which is housed in a restored viceregal mansion and boasts a vast collection of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Later in the day, return to Miraflores and Parque del Amor (Love Park), which sits on the coastal cliffs and is the perfect spot to enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the Pacific. 

Day 2: Lima City Tour

In the morning, meet a local guide and embark on a full-day city tour. It kicks off with a drive to the center of Lima and Huaca Pucllana. This archaeological site showcases the remains of an ancient pre-Inca pyramid complex that dates back to the Lima culture, which existed between 200-700 CE. The site offers panoramic views of this vital ceremonial center, which makes for great photo opportunities.

Then continue deeper into the heart of Lima, stopping at landmarks like the neoclassical Palace of Justice and the neo-Renaissance Italian Art Museum. Eventually, you'll arrive at the Centro Histórico (Historic Center) and Plaza Mayor de Lima, the main square in the city. Continue the tour on foot as you visit landmarks like the Palacio Municipal and the Archbishop's Palace.

You'll also enter the Convent of San Francisco, a Franciscan monastery that dates to 1774 and is famous for its catacombs. Many city inhabitants were buried in this series of underground passages, with estimates suggesting they're home to the remains of 25,000 people. After exploring the catacombs, you'll return to Miraflores and the coastal bluffs just in time to witness another golden sunset.

Day 3: Market Tour & Cooking Class, Fly to Arequipa

Save your appetite because this morning, you'll discover the joys of Peruvian cuisine during a market visit and cooking class led by an expert local chef. This half-day group experience begins when you meet your chef and instructor, who will lead you to a local market where you'll shop for ingredients to use in the iconic Peruvian dishes you'll later prepare. It's an excellent opportunity to rub shoulders with locals and taste seasonal fruits and other produce at the different vendor stalls.

Later, you'll head to the chef's home kitchen, where the culinary adventure begins. Under the guidance of your instructor, you'll prepare a starter, main dish, and dessert that can include famous Peruvian staples like ceviche (fish cooked in citric acid) and lomo saltado (marinated beef stir-fried with vegetables). After the class, everyone will enjoy their creations paired with beverages like Inca Cola and the famous pisco sour cocktail.

Afterward, you'll transfer to the airport for the 1.5-hour flight south from Lima to Arequipa. Peru's second-largest city is nestled in the Andes and is surrounded by three towering volcanoes, which makes for one of the most beautiful skylines in Peru. Arequipa also boasts some of the most attractive colonial architecture in the country, including its most famous attraction, the 16th-century Santa Catalina Monastery. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in the city.

Day 4: Chili River Rafting, Arequipa Food & Sightseeing Tour

Get the blood-pumping on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip first thing in the morning. Leave your hotel for the quick 20-minute drive from the Arequipa city center to a section of the famous Río Chili, which snakes through the Andes of southern Peru near the city. Upon arrival, you'll meet your group and guide, hop on a raft, and head out on a 1.5-hour trip down the river through the gorgeous Chilina Valley. But the scenery is only part of the experience. The trip kicks into high gear as you brave rapids that reach Class II, III, and even IV, all but ensuring an unforgettable experience.

After returning to Arequipa, you'll meet another guide for a half-day tour—this time on foot. On this combined food and city tour, you'll stroll through the historic center, stopping at traditional eateries and food vendors. Throughout the experience, you'll sample foods and drinks native to the Arequipa region while getting to know the locals and learning the historical and cultural details behind each dish. As an added bonus, you'll hike up to viewpoints offering breathtaking views of the snowcapped Misti volcano looming over the city.

Day 5: Colca Canyon Tour & Family Homestay (Day 1)

Wake up early and meet your driver/guide for the three-hour ride out of Arequipa to another regional highlight: Colca Canyon. As one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca reaches depths of 10,725 feet (3,720 m) and offers plenty of incredible viewpoints and challenging treks. You'll experience much of Colca's natural wonders on a two-day excursion that will take you to its highlights and allow you to experience the local Andean culture.

The drive to Colca is a scenic adventure in its own right. During the ride, keep an eye out for native fauna like wild vicuñas (smaller cousins of the llama) and viscachas (small chinchilla-like rodents). As you climb up through the Andes, you'll reach the stunning Patapampa Pass at a breathtaking 15,300 feet (4,820 m) above sea level. Here, you'll stop at Mirador de Los Andes to snap photos of the wide vistas offering incredible views of various volcanoes surrounding Arequipa, including Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato.

Next, descend into the town of Chivay, where you'll start seeing the pre-Inca agricultural terraces that characterize the canyon's landscapes. Upon arrival in Chivay, you'll meet a family from the small village of Coporaque and enjoy a nice leisurely lunch as you get to know your hosts. Afterward, the family will lead you on an informal tour of the village, and later you'll eat dinner together in their home and stay overnight. As for the food, expect rustic and delicious Andean fare featuring ingredients like potatoes, quinoa, and oca (a potato-like tuber).

Day 6: Colca Canyon Tour & Family Homestay (Day 2)

It's another early start today as you say goodbye to your new friends, leave the homestay, and head out with your driver/guide to Condor Cross Lookout Point. The road there will take you past charming villages and pre-Inca ruins dominated by views of the Ampato and Hualca glaciers. Eventually, you'll arrive at Condor Cross, whose name should give you a clue about the day's next unforgettable activity.

Besides the natural beauty, Colca Canyon is famous as a habitat for the Andean condor, and this canyon lookout is one of the best vantage points to spot them. Get lucky, and you might spot one or two of these majestic avian species gracefully soaring on the thermal currents. Besides spotting condors, the viewpoint allows you to gaze into the canyon's depths, which stretches nearly 4,000 feet (1,219 m) below. Afterward, head to Chivay for lunch before returning to Arequipa and your hotel.

Day 7: Fly to Cusco, Explore

In the morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Arequipa and board a one-hour flight north to Cusco. Located high in the Andes mountains, this area has been settled for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until 1200 CE that Cusco was officially founded as a center for Inca rule. It remained the capital of the Inca Kingdom until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Today this well-preserved historic city boasts an incredible mix of Spanish-colonial architecture and ancient Inca archaeological sites.

Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city. After checking in, you'll have the rest of the day free to discover Cusco's myriad highlights on a self-guided tour. You can start at the Plaza de Armas, the city's main square, which is located in the historic center. Once a central meeting point during the Inca Empire, the Spanish founded the plaza in 1534, destroying and replacing the Inca buildings with colonial mansions and churches. The most famous of these is the Cusco Cathedral, which dates to 1654 and remains remarkably well-preserved.

From here, you can also walk to nearby Inca sites. For example, a few blocks from the plaza is Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). During Inca reign in the 15th century, this was Cusco's religious and political center, and its interior walls were said to have been covered in gold. From here, you can walk down Hatunrumiyoc Street and admire the ancient Inca walls, particularly the 12-Angle Stone, so named because its dozen angles fit perfectly in the surrounding stones. It's one of the finest examples of the ancient Incas' prowess in stonemasonry. 

Day 8: Tour Pisac & Ollantaytambo, Train to Machu Picchu

Get ready for another full day of sightseeing in Peru. After an early breakfast, you'll join a group and transfer north of Cusco to the Sacred Valley. Your first stop is the hilltop ruins overlooking the town of Pisac. Along with your group and guide, you'll explore this archaeological site comprised of Inca burial grounds, irrigation systems, and astronomy centers. Then head into town and visit Pisac's famous textile market. It's a great place to pick up a hand-made garment to take home as a souvenir or gift.

After a break for a traditional Peruvian lunch, you'll visit the ancient city of Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Ican urban planning. As you walk amid the site, you'll witness marvels of early civil engineering in the form of ancient canals and Inca-era homes still in use today. Then hike up the terraced agricultural fields to enjoy sweeping views of the valley, towns, and ruins from the top. You'll even see some of the quarries from where the stone for Ollantaytambo was sourced. 

Later, board a train in Ollantaytambo for the two-hour ride west to Aguas Calientes. This little mountain town might not look like much, but it sits at the foot of the legendary Machu Picchu and is the main hub for excursions to the "Lost City of the Incas." Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the evening free. Try and get to bed early, because tomorrow you leave for Machu Picchu.

Day 9: Guided Machu Picchu Tour, Train to Cusco

Get an early start as you leave from Aguas Calientes on a 25-minute bus ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu. This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970 feet (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Among other accolades, Machu Picchu has earned UNESCO World Heritage status and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

During a 2.5-hour tour led by an expert guide, you'll hike to all corners of the complex and visit its most famous features and landmarks. These include astronomical/ritual stone structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Many landmarks, like the Sacred Plaza and Inca Bridge, showcase the Incas' architectural prowess. The agricultural terraces are also impressive, demonstrating the Incas' skill at cultivating crops on steep hillsides.

After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch in the town center before boarding a train back to Cusco via Ollantaytambo. In Cusco, you'll check into your hotel and have the evening free.

Day 10: Temple of the Moon Tour, Depart Peru

It may be your last day in Peru, but the fun isn't over yet. In the morning, you'll transfer to the Temple of the Moon, a sacred Inca archaeological site just north of Cusco with caves, rock carvings, and intricate stonework. Here, you'll participate in a K'intu (ritual) ceremony in which three coca leaves are offered to the sacred Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Apus (Spirit of Mountains), which represent the three levels of Earth: lower, middle, and upper. 

Part of this experience involves the demonstration of musical instruments that have been played since the time of the ancient Incas. There's a great variety of such instruments from the Andean and Amazon regions, which were commonly used in rites and ceremonies. Overall, it's an unforgettable celebration of culture and music and the perfect way to end your time in an incredible country with deep spiritual roots.

From there, continue by foot to an ancient temple at the archaeological site of Cusilluchayoc, which features carvings of pumas, monkeys, and snakes in its limestone rocks. Even today, Cusilluchayoc holds much religious significance, as people still leave offerings of flowers, coca leaves, cotton, etc. Afterward, walk along a section of the Qhapaq Ñan, a complex Inca road system stretching from Quito, Ecuador, all the way down through Chile. The excursion ends back at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, where you'll transfer to the airport and catch your flight home.

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