Glorious Views of Peru

Your first day will be spent traveling from Lima airport to Chachapoyas, checking in to the hotel of your choice and settling in to your new surroundings. Go gently as it does take some time to adjust to the higher altitudes!

Nestled high in the mountains of North Peru, the city of Chachapoyas means ‘cloud forest’ in the indigenous Quechua language. At an elevation of over 2000 meters, the beautiful Amazonas capital is a hidden treasure waiting to be found. Chachapoyas city is charming, with moderately-warm temperatures and its wonderful natural and archaeological attractions offer fantastic sights for every type of tourist. As this region is still quite isolated, a trip to Chachapoyas steps off the beaten track, offering something special beyond the typical ‘Gringo trail’. Day 2 of this tour will allow for the exploration of Chachapoyas at your own leisure.

Your third day will see a departure to the town of Cocachimba after breakfast. From there we begin this day full of adventure to visit the stunning Gocta Waterfall, which was known only to locals until 2002. There is said to be a local legend of a blonde mermaid protecting the waters here, cited as the reason why outsiders have been oblivious to this beauty up until recent years! On this two and a half hour hike to the waterfall we will be in amongst the incredible nature of this region, observing the beautiful landscape, diverse fauna and flora including orchids, birds, butterflies.

The archaeological wonder of Kuelap has only recently been reopened to tourists after significant conservation work has been undertaken to protect it for generations to come. Dating back to 1000 – 1400 BCE, this impressive fortress is a huge mountain-top complex of towering stone walls and circular dwellings. This pre-Incan structure shares many similarities to its more famous counterpart of Machi Picchu in the South, however there are significantly fewer tourists, meaning you can marvel at these ancient ruins while enjoying quieter, more peaceful surroundings. This site is accessed by cable car and your entry ticket will include a guided tour.

Leaving Chachapoyas after breakfast we will head towards the town of Lamud. From there we will visit the Quiocta Cavern, where six connected caverns lead deep inside the mountains full of stalactites, stalagmites and the human bones of those lost to time. We will also visit the funerary statues of Karajia, where the most important figures of the Chachapoyas culture were laid to rest. Here you can see cliffside mummies; sarcophagi made of clay, straw and gravel molded over a wooden coffin. The local residents refer to these human-shaped figures as the ‘ancient wise men’.

Day 6 will be spent travelling from Chachapoyas to Lima airport, with daily flights and travel time of 90 minutes approximately. From Lima you will fly to Cusco, also roughly 90 minutes flight time, where we provide transfers from the airport to your chosen hotel. We offer many Cusco hotels with clean and comfortable rooms to suit your tastes and budget – from 3 to 5 stars. The rest of your day can be spent relaxing or getting a start on exploring this fabulous city.

Time to see this splendid world famous UNESCO world heritage city. Your half day tour will include many highlights of Cusco city center such as the majestic Cathedral in the main square, as well as visiting the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán and a few smaller Inca ruins close to Cusco. On this tour you will also get the opportunity to see Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, and gives a fabulous overview of Cusco. We recommend visiting the arts and crafts markets for souvenirs, and to spend time in some of the many art galleries and museums here. Cusco is a beautiful city to explore, and we encourage you to take the time to wander around to really soak it up when not being guided. 

On your second day you will visit the ancient small town of Chinchero, where so much of the original character has been preserved, with traditions still an important cornerstone of daily life there. In Chinchero you will visit the famous textile center of Urpi, where the locals have preserved the traditional Andean spinning and weaving techniques, where they will proudly show you how they produce their own vivid fabric dyes. On our way to Ollantaytambo, we will enjoy the lookout point of Racchi, offering some of the best views of the verdant Sacred Valley. A tasty and traditional lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon you will visit Ollantaytambo, a historical site where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle. It is one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the ancient Inca Empire, well known for its Andenes – agricultural terraces dug into the slopes of mountains. Ollantaytambo was a highly effective fortress and temple. Then, we will continue to the unique living Inca town of Ollantaytambo on the valley floor. With charming narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century, Ollantaytambo is the best surviving example of Inca city planning.

After your day out you will be dropped off at your Sacred Valley hotel to relax and enjoy the local surroundings.

After staying in the valley overnight, a transfer will pick you up early from your hotel and take you to the train station. After the 90-minute scenic train journey, you will be met in Aguas Calientes by your guide. Then you will drop off your luggage at your chosen hotel before taking the bus transfer to the Machu Picchu site. Here you will enjoy a tour of one of the most incredible places on the planet with your local English-speaking guide, taking in the stunning scenery and learning of the ancient history.

It is possible to see Machu Picchu in one day, however we recommend two days to make the travelling time worth you while. Our choice would be to spend one afternoon visit to closing time, then return early the next day to enjoy the sunrise, where there will be less people and therefore greater enjoyment of these special surroundings.

Today you can visit Machu Picchu a second time unguided, enjoying the majesty of this ancient site at your own pace. Perhaps you may enjoy climbing to the summit of Huayna Picchu, the peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (400 people per day and by prior appointment only), which affords epic views and unrivalled photo opportunities. Please note the entrance ticket must be bought in advance (recommended at least 60 days ahead of travel).

You will return to Aguas Calientes late afternoon. This quirky town nestles in the valley below Machu Picchu with many restaurants. A trip along the river to the Los Jardines de Mandor gardens can also be taken, with exotic orchids and birds to be enjoyed at your leisure. Or perhaps a dip in the thermal baths is just what you need after a couple of days exploring the New World Wonder that is Machu Picchu.

Enjoy breakfast in Aguas Calientes before boarding the train in the late afternoon for your trip back to Cusco. You will depart at Ollantaytambo, where you boarded, to benefit from a quicker transfer by road back to Cusco. We will transfer you to Cusco airport, where you will fly to Lima to connect with your international flight home. Where to next? If you wish to extend your trip to include the stunning islands of Lake Titicaca, or perhaps an Amazon rainforest adventure, we will be happy to tailor our tours to your needs. Our Amazon rainforest extension starts from just $395 per person!