DAY 1: Arrive Lima, Peru
Upon arrival in Lima, you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel.
Once you’ve checked in, you can relax or head out to explore the beauty of Lima and its surroundings at your own pace.
MEALS: Nil
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Arawi Miraflores Express, Lima
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Jose Antonio Hotel, Lima
DAY 2: Lima – City Tour
This morning after breakfast, you’ll head off on a guided city tour of Lima, starting with Huaca Pucllana – an impressive ancient archaeological site right in the heart of the popular Miraflores district. This sacred site was once a major ceremonial and administrative centre for the Lima culture, dating back between 200 and 700 AD. Built with seven staggered platforms, and surrounded by a large plaza and walls, it’s a fascinating place you might not expect to find in busy Miraflores!
After exploring Huaca Pucllana with your bilingual guide, you’ll continue to Lima’s historic centre – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area. You’ll visit the beautiful Plaza de Armas, Lima’s main square, which is surrounded by grand colonial and republican-era buildings. Some of Peru’s most important landmarks are here, including the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union.
Next, you’ll visit the Cathedral of Lima, completed in 1649. It’s a massive structure with a central nave, 14 side chapels, and stunning artwork. You’ll also see the tomb of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro inside.
From there, it’s just a short walk to the Convent of Santo Domingo (entry included). One of Peru’s most significant religious buildings, it was completed in 1766 and features a striking bell tower. Inside, you’ll admire colourful ceramic tiles from the early 1600s and a collection of paintings depicting the life of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order.
After your tour, you’ll return to your hotel. The tour takes about 5 hours in total.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Arawi Miraflores Express, Lima
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Jose Antonio Hotel, Lima
DAY 3: Lima ~ Puerto Maldonado ~ Posada Amazonas
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the airport (about a 1-hour drive) for your flight to Puerto Maldonado – the gateway to the Amazon.
When you arrive, a local team member will meet you at the airport and take you on a short 10-minute drive to the lodge’s headquarters. If you have luggage, you won’t need for the next few days, you can safely store it here – this helps keep the boats light for your journey into the jungle.
Next, we’ll drive to the Tambopata River Port, passing through the native community of Infierno. From there, you’ll enjoy a scenic 45-minute boat ride to Posada Amazonas, located in the community’s primary forest reserve. On arrival at the lodge, the manager will welcome you and give a short briefing with navigation and safety tips.
After lunch and some time to settle in, we’ll head out on a 20-minute walk to the canopy tower, which stands 30 metres high. From the top platforms, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the rainforest and the winding Tambopata River. Keep an eye out for toucans, parrots, macaws, and plenty of other birdlife in the treetops!
Back at the lodge, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner followed by an evening presentation about the Infierno ecotourism project, led by a local guide.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Posada Amazonas, Amazon
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Posada Amazonas, Amazon
DAY 4: Posada Amazonas – Amazon Exploration
After breakfast, you’ll head off on an exciting adventure to the Three Chimbadas oxbow lake. First, you’ll enjoy a 30-minute boat ride along the river, followed by a scenic 45-minute walk through the rainforest. Once you reach the lake, you’ll hop aboard a catamaran to quietly paddle across the calm waters as you search for wildlife.
With a bit of luck, you might spot the resident family of nine giant river otters that live here. While sightings can’t be guaranteed, around 60% of visitors do see these playful animals. You’ll also likely spot other Amazon creatures such as caimans, hoatzins, and horned screamers.
Afterwards, you’ll take a 20-minute boat ride downriver to a special trail created by the Centro Ñape – a local community group that uses traditional knowledge to make natural medicines from forest plants. As you walk the trail, your local guide will explain the different plants and their uses in healing and medicine.
Later in the evening, you’ll head out on a guided night walk. While some animals are harder to see after dark, others – like frogs – are much easier to spot. Plus, the sounds of the jungle at night are something you’ll never forget, making this a truly magical experience.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Posada Amazonas, Amazon
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Posada Amazonas, Amazon
DAY 5: Posada Amazonas ~ Puerto Maldonado ~ Sacred Valley
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the Amazon. You’ll travel by boat back to the Tambopata River Port and continue by road into Puerto Maldonado. Once we arrive in town, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Cusco.
When you land in Cusco, your cultural adventure begins. You’ll be met at the airport and driven out to the Ccaccaccollo Community in the Sacred Valley. This small village is home to around 50 families, where the main ways of life are farming and traditional weaving.
When we arrive, you’ll be welcomed by some of the local residents. The men of the village mostly work the land, while the women continue the ancient weaving techniques passed down through generations. Ccaccaccollo is known for producing some of the most beautiful textiles in Peru.
You’ll attend a short talk and watch a hands-on demonstration where the local women will show you how they turn raw wool into vibrant fabrics – starting with shearing the wool, then spinning it, washing it with natural soaps, and dyeing it with colourful plants and flowers. One of the Quechua-speaking weavers will (with help from a translator) explain the meaning behind their traditional patterns and symbols.
If you’d like, you can even try your hand at weaving a small item like a blanket, poncho, or hat! After the weaving experience, you’ll have some free time to explore the community, meet more locals, and see what life is like in the Sacred Valley. You’ll also have the chance to purchase some of their handmade textiles – a great way to support the community directly.
Later in the day, we’ll say farewell to the community and return to the Sacred Valley, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. You’ll have the evening to relax and enjoy at your own pace.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Hotel Agustos Urubamba, Sacred Valley
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): San Augustin Monasterio de la Recoleta, Sacred Valley
DAY 6: Sacred Valley ~ Huilloc Village ~ Ollantaytambo ~ Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive about an hour to Huilloc, a small traditional village in the Andes. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by friendly locals dressed in colourful clothes. You’ll learn how they keep their language and culture alive.
This is a hands-on cultural experience, so you can join in daily activities like farming, weaving, or learning about their traditions. You’ll also enjoy a homemade Andean lunch with one of the local families.
Huilloc is famous for its weaving, and you’ll see how women in the village teach their daughters and granddaughters to make beautiful textiles using old techniques. You can watch a demonstration, try weaving yourself, and even buy something to take home and support the community.
Later, we’ll drive to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll explore the amazing Inca ruins. You’ll visit the Temple of the Sun, see massive stone blocks carved perfectly by hand, and learn about the Inca water system and farming terraces. The town below still uses the Inca water channels, and many people wear traditional dress.
From there, we’ll head to the train station for your scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The ride takes about 2 hours and passes through beautiful valleys and rivers.
When you arrive, you’ll have time to relax, visit the hot springs, or wander through the local markets. We’ll get you checked in to your hotel and ready for your visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Inti Punku Machu Picchu Hotel, Aguas Calientes
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Hatun Inti Boutique, Aguas Calientes
DAY 7: Aguas Calientes ~ Machu Picchu ~ Aguas Calientes ~ Cusco
Today’s the big day – your visit to Machu Picchu! To make the most of it, we’ll start early. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel around 5:30am and take you to the bus stop for the short but winding ride up to the entrance of the ancient citadel.
Once at Machu Picchu, you’ll begin a guided walking tour of the site with an expert local guide. The tour takes about 2 hours and covers all the major highlights, including the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, and the Sacred Plaza. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the famous agricultural terraces, surrounding mountains, and deep valleys.
After the tour, you’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have some free time to relax and enjoy lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, you’ll catch the train back to Poroy, near Cusco. When you arrive at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco – the perfect place to reflect on your unforgettable visit to one of the world’s most incredible sites.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Prisma Hotel, Cusco
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Costa del Sol Ramada, Cusco
DAY 8: Cusco – City Tour
This morning after breakfast, you’ll set off on a guided tour of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire.
First up is Koricancha, once the most sacred temple of the Incas. It stood beside the Santo Domingo Church and was said to have walls covered in gold, with golden statues of animals and plants inside. Although the Spanish stripped away the gold, the temple itself is still an amazing place to explore. Your guide will help you spot details you might otherwise miss, giving you a real insight into its historical and cultural importance.
Next, you’ll visit Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. Built between 1560 and 1654 on top of an old Inca temple, it’s a stunning mix of Spanish and Inca architecture. Inside, you’ll see artworks by the famous Cusco School of painting, as well as altars and pulpits decorated with gold and silver. Look closely and you’ll even notice Inca symbols hidden in the designs – like a jaguar’s head carved into the doors.
From there, you’ll head up to Sacsayhuaman, a huge Inca fortress overlooking the city. The stonework here is some of the best you’ll see, with giant stones fitted so perfectly together that no mortar was needed. You’ll also enjoy fantastic views over Cusco from the top.
Your final stop is Tambomachay, a smaller archaeological site thought to have been an Inca spa. Here, you’ll see a clever system of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls built into the terraced rock – a great example of Inca engineering.
After visiting Tambomachay, we’ll return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Prisma Hotel, Cusco
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Costa del Sol Ramada, Cusco
DAY 9: Cusco ~ Puno
After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel at 6:30am and taken to the bus station for your scenic journey from Cusco to Puno. This is no ordinary bus ride – it’s a full-day guided tour with several exciting stops along the way, giving you a deeper look into Peru’s culture and history.
The highlights of the journey include:
- Andahuaylillas
– Often called the Sistine Chapel of South America, this stunning church is one of the best examples of Andean religious art.
- Raqchi (Temple of Wiracocha)
– This huge Inca temple is over 100 metres long and nearly 14 metres high, supported by rows of large stone columns.
- La Raya Pass
– The highest point of the trip at 4,335 metres (14,222 feet) above sea level. This is the halfway point between Cusco and Puno, where you’ll see beautiful Andean landscapes and animals like llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. It’s also where the Quechua and Aymara cultures meet.
- Pukara
– The oldest and most important ceremonial centre in the Altiplano region. You’ll see ancient sculptures and burial sites that tell stories of early Andean civilisation.
You’ll arrive in Puno at around 5:00pm, where you’ll be taken to your hotel to check in and relax for the evening.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Hotel Royal Inn, Puno
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Jose Antonio Hotel, Puno
DAY 10: Puno – Lake Titicaca Tour
After breakfast, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Puno around 7:00am and take you down to the port. From there, you’ll hop on a comfortable motorboat for a full-day adventure on Lake Titicaca.
Your first stop is the beautiful Taquile Island, one of the most scenic places in Peru. Life here moves at a slower pace, and the locals proudly continue their traditional way of life. You’ll meet the talented weavers of Taquile, known across Peru for their incredible textiles. Interestingly, on this island, men do the weaving while women spin the yarn – a tradition passed down for generations. You’ll have time to explore the island and learn about their unique culture.
Around midday, you’ll head to a small port on Taquile and continue by boat to the Chucuito Peninsula, located in the Aymara region of the lake. Here you’ll visit the quiet rural village of Luquina, where you’ll enjoy a tasty buffet lunch at a local fisherman’s home – a lovely way to experience genuine hospitality.
In the afternoon, we’ll stop at the famous Floating Islands of the Uros. These unique islands are built entirely from Totora reeds, which grow naturally in the lake. The Uros people originally created the floating islands so they could move away from danger if needed.
Today, they continue to live on these man-made islands, constantly adding fresh reeds to replace the old ones.
Walking on the floating islands is an unforgettable experience – the ground feels soft and springy under your feet. You’ll explore the main island, learn how the islands are built, and visit local homes to see how the Uros people live.
After your visit, we’ll return to Puno and drop you back at your hotel to relax for the evening.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Hotel Royal Inn, Puno
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Jose Antonio Hotel, Puno
DAY 11: Puno ~ Chivay ~ Colca Canyon
Today we leave Puno early at around 6:00am for a scenic road trip to Chivay, the gateway to the Colca Canyon. The drive takes about 5 hours, with several stops along the way to enjoy the amazing landscapes and take photos.
Our first stop is at Lagunillas, where, with a bit of luck, you might spot flamingos, Andean ducks, and other native birds. You’ll also see beautiful highland scenery and South American camelids like llamas and alpacas.
As we continue, we’ll reach the Tocra high plain, sitting at over 4,500 metres above sea level. This area is home to migrating birds and herds of llamas and guanacos – great for photo opportunities.
The highest point of the journey is Pata Pampa, located at 4,820 metres, where you’ll have spectacular views of snow-capped volcanoes, including Ampato, Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, and Mismi (the source of the Amazon River). You’ll also see the Chila mountain range.
From there, we’ll descend into Chivay, where the Colca Valley begins. This area is known for its incredible ancient agricultural terraces, still used today. Chivay itself is a charming town with Spanish colonial influences – seen in its church and buildings. You’ll have time for lunch at a local restaurant (not included), before we check in to your hotel.
The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the town. If you’re up for it, you can visit the La Calera hot springs, just 3 km away. These natural hot pools are heated by the area’s volcanic activity and are said to have healing properties, with temperatures around 38°C. It’s a great way to unwind after a day of travel.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Casa Andina Standard, Colca Canyon
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Aranwa Pueblito Encantado del Colca, Colca Canyon
DAY 12: Colca Canyon ~ Arequipa
It’s another early start today, but it’s worth it – you’re in for some amazing views and unforgettable experiences!
After breakfast, we’ll head to Cruz del Condor (Cross of the Condor), one of the best lookout points in Colca Canyon. This spot is famous for being a place where you can see Andean condors soaring high above the canyon. With wingspans of up to 3 metres, these giant birds often glide right past the viewing area – it’s a truly breathtaking sight. You’ll also enjoy spectacular views into the deep canyon below.
On the way back to Chivay, we’ll stop at the traditional village of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint. From here, you can see ancient agricultural terraces that were built over 1,500 years ago. They curve around the hills like a giant amphitheatre and are still used today. You’ll also spot beautiful lagoons scattered throughout the Colca Valley.
We’ll return to Chivay for lunch (not included) and then begin the scenic 4-hour drive to Arequipa. Along the way, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the changing landscapes.
Once we arrive in Arequipa, we’ll take you to your hotel, where you can settle in and enjoy the evening at your own pace.
MEALS: Breakfast
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Hotel Conquistador, Arequipa
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Palla Boutique Hotel, Arequipa
DAY 13: Arequipa ~ Lima – Cooking Class
After breakfast, you’ll visit one of Arequipa’s most iconic landmarks – the Santa Catalina Convent. This peaceful and beautiful complex is a great place to learn about the city’s religious and colonial history.
Next, you’ll have time to walk around Arequipa’s historic centre, also known as the White City because of its stunning buildings made from white volcanic stone (called ashlar). This soft but strong stone has been used in local architecture since the 16th century, helping the city withstand earthquakes while giving it a unique and elegant look.
Later in the morning, it’s time for your Arequipa Gastronomic Experience!
We’ll start the food tour at 8:00am with a visit to San Camilo Market, one of the oldest and most authentic markets in Arequipa. It’s a lively and colourful place full of local flavours, fresh produce, meats, spices, snacks, and traditional dishes. Get ready for a sensory adventure – there’s a lot to see, hear, and smell!
At the market, we’ll pick up fresh ingredients for your cooking class. Then we’ll head to a local family home, where a skilled local cook will teach you how to prepare two traditional Arequipeño dishes – an entrée and a main course. Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish – your guide will translate everything so you can enjoy the experience and ask questions. Once the cooking is done, sit down and enjoy your delicious homemade Peruvian meal!
After your cooking class, we’ll transfer you to Arequipa Airport for your flight to Lima. When you arrive, a Valencia Travel representative will be waiting for you. You’ll then be taken by private transport to your hotel in Miraflores, where you’ll spend your final night in Peru.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
OVERNIGHT (3 STAR OPTION): Arawi Miraflores Express, Lima
OVERNIGHT (4 STAR OPTION): Jose Antonio Hotel, Lima
DAY 14: Depart Lima
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll have some free time to relax or enjoy a final walk around Lima before heading home.
When it’s time, we’ll transfer you to Lima Airport (about a 1-hour drive) for your flight back home.
We hope you’ve loved your Peru and Amazon adventure with MyHoliday2 and take home plenty of amazing memories!
MEALS: Breakfast
