Lima – Cusco (Inca Trail 2D) 9D/8N

Trip highlights:

• Arrive in one of the most unique and varied countries of South America – Peru.
• Explore the enchanting Sacred Valley and experience the ancient culture of the Andes.
• Tour the salt mines of Maras and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch looking over the terraces of Moray.
• Feel the Andean energy as you wind your way along the ancient path of the Incas all the way to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
• Immerse yourself in the magic and mystery of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, accompanied by first-rate guides.
• Visit Cusco and its off-the-beaten-path hidden treasures.
• Leave your trip planning in the hands of the luxury travel experts of South America.

Trip Description

Explore the enigmatic city of Cusco and its main attractions like the Temple of the Sun and the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman. Spend magical nights in the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas, before venturing on towards the lost city of Machu Picchu by train. Follow in the footsteps of the Inca along the Inca trail as you hike the last leg of the journey. This is a private tour where you will enjoy the finest luxury hotels and be led by local guides, expert in the history of the Incas.

Upon your arrival, our representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel, where we will provide all the information about your trip.

In the afternoon you will have free time to rest and relax.

Today we will begin the city tour of Lima, getting to know the colonial part of the city by visiting the most important places in the historic center, with its colonial balconies and attractions including Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, City Hall and the Church of Santo Domingo. We’ll continue with the Convent and Church of San Francisco and the Larco Museum with its impressive collections, including a room dedicated to erotic figurines. This museum has an exceptional display of ancient pre-Columbian cultures, textiles from various cultures along the coast, pottery, and metalwork rich in gold and silver.

For dinner, we will visit one of Lima’s foremost restaurants to sample delicious traditional Peruvian dishes. Later we will return you to your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive in Cusco, we will be waiting for you at the airport to bring you to the Sacred Valley, which is located at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you will have an easier time acclimating to the altitude. On route to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will stop at the Inkarri Museum, to immerse you in the history of the many pre-Incan cultures that influenced the Inca civilization as it expanded to become a great empire. You will then arrive at your hotel to rest in luxury for the night.

Breakfast/Lunch

In the early morning we will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour of the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting first the archaeological site of Pisac—a place where the history and knowledge of the Incas is in full display, and where you can appreciate the beautiful terraces and the impressive construction of the urban center. We will then visit the local handicraft market town of Pisac, where you will find extraordinary handmade textiles, silverware, pottery, and more.

Later we will head to Urubamba, where we will have a delicious lunch right in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

We will continue the tour by visiting the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where you can appreciate the beautiful and complex architectural design of the place, built as a military and administrative base, while also serving as a final resting place.

After visiting these stunning and beautiful sites, we return you to your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast we head towards the impressive archeological site of Moray, which was built in a concentric circular design for the purpose of agricultural experimentation. Then we will have a scrumptious picnic lunch around Moray, looking out across the beautiful landscape.

Later we will move on to the picturesque town of Maras, followed by the salt mines, Las Salineras, comprised of some 2,000 pools where salt is collected. We will return to the hotel afterwards.

Breakfast/Picnic Lunch

Very early in the morning, our transport will take us to the train station, where we will board the train and travel until km. 104, where the Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins.

We will start our hike by visiting the ruins at Chachabamba, and then start walking up to Wiñahuayna, another famous archaeological site in the middle of the hike. Along the way, we will pass by beautiful waterfalls and amazing landscapes.
We will have lunch close to Wiñaywayna campsite, the last campsite that is used for the four-day trek; there you will be able to witness the kind of long distance trekking and organization that the longer Inca Trail hike requires.

Later we will continue directly to the Intipunku, or Sun Gate, where we will see for first time the magical city of Machu Picchu. From this point, we will descend to the citadel to enjoy it for some minutes more. Afterwards we will go down to the hotel to rest and gather energy for visiting Machu Picchu the next day.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today early in the morning after breakfast we will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu, with a two-hour guided tour, visiting the main plaza, the temple of the three windows, the four royal rooms, and the famous Intihuatana and the circular tower. After visiting the citadel, you have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu, a famous peak from where you will have the most beautiful views of Machu Picchu sanctuary and its surroundings.

Later, we will take the train back to Poroy, located 30 minutes away from Cusco city. From this point our transport will take us to our Hotel in Cusco.

Breakfast/Lunch

After a good breakfast, we will begin the tour of Cusco with its temples and monuments such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the convent of Santo Domingo, which was built on top of the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, where you can see the impressive Inca constructions. There is also the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, a masterpiece of Inca architecture, and where each year, on June 24, the famous Festival of the Sun or Inti Raymi is celebrated. Continuing the tour, we will visit Quenqo, with its monolithic altar, representing a puma, and then arrive at Puca Pucara, a beautiful spring-fed mountain that forms a series of pools. All of these sites are famous Inca monuments of great religious importance.

After enjoying a great lunch, one of our directors will share with you a unique experience created exclusively for Royal Luxury clients as a way to thank you for traveling with us. It will be a gift coming from our hearts.

Breakfast/Lunch

After breakfast, our transportation will take you to the airport in Cusco for your flight back to Lima. Once on the ground in Lima, we will take you to the district of Barranco to explore this bohemian and artisan neighborhood with the assistance of a guide and private car at your disposal. Based on your international flight information, we will bring you back to the airport to help you check in.

***if you prefer to stay a bit longer in Cusco this day, we will give you return flight options from Cusco to Lima to match your international flight schedule.

Breakfast