Day 1 | Arrive Lima
Welcome to the Capital of the New World – the launch pad to the iconic and unexpected highlights of Peru. On arrival in Lima, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the exclusive barrio of San Isidro where you’ll enjoy a Welcome Reception in the evening to meet your Travel Director and travel companions.

Day 2 | Experience the Sights and Flavours of Lima
Connect with the colonial heritage of Francisco Pizzaro’s ‘City of Kings’, admiring the colonial splendour of Lima’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre. Stand in the birthplace of this ancient, yet modern city, surrounded by the Baroque façades of Cathedral of Lima and Palace of the Union. See the Church of San Francisco and discover its hidden catacombs. Celebrate Lima’s status as the culinary capital of South America and Connect With Locals when you meet Ignacio Barrios, who has worked alongside many of Peru’s most award-winning chefs. We visit a local market where Ignacio will explain how Peruvian fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats are the basis of Peruvian cooking. Then, continue to Chef Ignacio’s cooking school where we’ll enjoy a demonstration on how to prepare some of Peru’s most popular dishes and have an opportunity to sample some at a Be My Guest experience lunch before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3 | Journey to the Sacred Valley
Board a morning flight to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Dive Into Culture when you visit the Pisac market, displaying Quechua arts and crafts, then continue to a former 18th century colonial-style monastery in the Sacred Valley, our hotel for the night. Connect With Locals and meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a master Quechua weaver, and the first person from her village to attend university. She has been an ambassador for Andean traditions since she began learning ancient pre-Columbian weaving techniques as a young girl in the 1960s. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as your visit helps to preserve and promote traditional pre-Columbian weaving techniques in the 21st century.

Day 4 | Explore iconic Machu Picchu
The mystical empire of the Incas takes centre stage today. We visit the famous Sacred Valley stronghold of Ollantaytambo with a Local Specialist, before boarding the Vistadome train (light snack included) for our epic journey to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Delve into the mysteries of this once-great civilisation, admiring the 15th century stone ruins of temples, palaces and terraces perched high amidst the clouds. Join your Local Specialist for an exploration of the iconic great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock most likely used as a sundial centuries ago. We return to our hotel where we dine tonight.

Day 5 | The Sites of Machu Picchu and Cusco
The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu beckon again and we have an opportunity to re-connect with this ancient wonder. We board a train to the Sacred Valley, then head to the colonial city of Cusco, stopping en route at a local chicheria. Dive Into Culture and enjoy the sweet flavours of chicha as you learn how this Peruvian corn beer is brewed by the local women.

Day 6 | Step Back in Time in Cusco
Discover Cusco’s colonial center with your Local Specialist, highlighting the city’s most important landmarks of both the Inca and the Colonial times including the Plaza de Armas where a cathedral stands on the ruins of the ancient Inca Palace. Stop at the Temple of the Sun, Korikancha, before visiting the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a UNESCO-listed Incan fortress with tremendous views over Cusco. The afternoon is free to join an optional experience including a visit to the Chocolate Museum, Cusco off the beaten track or the Incan agricultural greenhouse and salt wells of Maras & Maray.

Day 7 | Delve into Pre-Columbian Art in Lima
A leisurely start to our day sees us return to Lima this afternoon. Meet a Local Specialist at the Larco Museum, which houses the largest private collection of pre-Columbian art in the world. This evening we join our travel companions for a Farewell Dinner in the museum’s garden restaurant.

Day 8 | Depart Lima
Our discovery of an ancient civilisation has come to an end. We transfer to the airport for your onward flight or perhaps extend your stay at the Novotel Lima.

Accommodation
7 nights of accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.

Food
7 Breakfasts, 1 Welcome Reception, 1 Be My Guest, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Farewell Dinner

Sightseeing Highlights

• Explore Lima and Cusco with a Local Specialist and try Peruvian food during a cooking demonstration
• Visit the outdoor market at Pisac, the ruins at Ollantaytambo, two visits to the 15th-century fortress of Machu Picchu, historic Sacsayhuaman, the Larco Museum in Lima and meet a master Quechua weaver
• Scenic Drive through the Sacred Valley and in Peru’s Andean highlands
• Scenic Train Ride to Machu Picchu aboard the Vistadome train

Lead in price:
From $4748
Was $5466
15% savings – $534
Based on 1 June 2024 departure
(based on twin share, land only)
Room Configuration: Twin Share/Double
Travel Operator

Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. Prices are in AUD, are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. If guests change to another tour or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. May be combined with 5% Global Tour Rewards savings only, not combinable with group discounts, Future Travel Credit carry forward discount or any other discount or promotion. Other conditions may apply.