Peru Luxury Cultural Tour.
Tour Offered By: Southern Explorations

Trek Duration: 8 days

Machu Picchu, the hidden city of the Incas, tops most every list of the world's greatest man-made wonders. Set in the breathtaking splendor of the Andes, it is most awe-inspiring destination in South America. This custom luxury tour lets you experience the natural and cultural wonders of Peru while staying at world class accommodations along the way. This private exploration of Peru includes 2 days exploring the ruins and markets of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, 2 days in the Sacred Valley and 2 days exploring Machu Picchu. It also includes a Lima City Tour. The private journey is filled with culture, expert professional guides, ancient history, exceptional food and world class hotels.

This custom cultural tour is offered by Southern Explorations. Visit its web page for more information including prices, scheduled departure dates, description of accommodations, physical requirements, details of what is included in the tour and to reserve the tour.

Luxury Custon Peru Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 Lima
Evening arrival in Lima and transfer to the Marriot Hotel. A guide will pick you up at the airport just outside of baggage claim and transfer you to the hotel in the beautiful Miraflores District of Lima.

Day 2 Lima - Cusco
Morning flight to Cusco, the colonial jewel and ancient capital of the Inca Empire. A Southern Explorations guide will pick you up at the airport just outside of baggage claim, and take you on a tour of the beautiful Plaza de Armas on the way to your hotel. You will be free for the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft). Our guide is at your service to assis with other activities you might enjoy. However we suggest a day of rest , as it is important to acclimatize to the altitude. Stay overnight at Libertador Hotel. Upgrade to the Monasterio Hotel can be arranged at additional costs if space permits. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Cusco
Your day starts with a private guided walking tour through the colorful markets of Cusco, the colonial cathedral, and the Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun ruins. After a lunch of tasty local cuisine, you'll be escorted on an afternoon tour of Cusco's temples and visit several nearby prominent Inca sights including: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its megalithic terraces; the stone surfaces and subterranean altars of Kenko; Puka Pukara, the small fortress that protected the royal capital from attacks; and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, you'll return to the comfort of your hotel to relax or further explore the captivating architecture and culture of Cusco. Stay overnight at Libertador Hotel. An upgrade to the Monasterio Hotel can be arranged at additional costs if space is available. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Cusco - Sacred Valley
Embark upon a day-long guided excursion through snowcapped mountains to the Incas' legendary Sacred Valley, as majestic today as it was during their reign. Along the way, Inca agricultural terracing on the steep valley walls and the temple ruins of Pisac create panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains in the background. The town of Pisac is home to one of the most varied textile markets in the Andes, where you'll be able to test your bargaining skills and enjoy the local culture. After lunch, we reach Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), the ruins of an impressive Inca fortress and the nearby small town. Overnight at the Libratador Sacred Valley hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Sacred Valley / Moray and Maras
Travel past small farms above the impressive and beautiful Urubamba Valley to Moray, the site of three circular terraces, thought to have been used by the Incas as an open-air crop experimentation station. Continue down past the living village and pre-Inca settlement of Maras. Here a geo-thermally heated stream feeds hundreds of small salt terraces, creating a bizarre white-on-brown landscape that has been used for salt mining since well before the time of the Incas. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch in the stunning scenery of the Sacred Valley and return to the Libratador Sacred Valley hotel in the late afternoon to relax. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
The day begins with a short morning walk from the hotel to the train station to embark on the Hiram Bingham train for a ride following the picturesque Urubamba River to the tiny village of Aguas Calientes. Emerging from a magnificent cloud forest, we arrive at the station where a bus waits to take you to the sacred mountain citadel of Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.). The entire day will be spent exploring the famous ruins, returning for a late afternoon soak in the Aguas Calientes hot springs and a dinner of local cuisine. Stay overnight at the renowned Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel / Upgrades to the Sanctuary Lodge can be arranged at additional costs if space is available. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early risers will get to have the magical experience of a Machu Picchu sunrise, and enjoy the whispers of the ancient city before the daily bustle begins. The remainder of the day holds various opportunities for your own exploration with our guide, including a climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or a walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon. The afternoon train returns you to Cusco, where you will be transferred to the Liberator Hotel / Upgrades to the Monasterio Hotel can be arranged at additional costs if space is available. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Cusco - Lima City Tour - Home
Following breakfast, receive a morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima. Our guide will pick you up at the Lima airport for a comprehensive afternoon tour of the "City of Kings" that includes the fancy Miraflores district overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the modern residential suburb of San Isidro, back to the Plaza de Armas for stops at the Government Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and City Hall, and a finale at the seventeenth-century church, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. A visit to Lima's famed Gold Museum containing ancient metal artifacts can also be included upon request. Enjoy the rest of the evening in Lima dining and relaxing in the Miraflores district before returning to the Lima International Airport for your flight home, marking the end of Southern Explorations services. (B,L)

*Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

For More Information
Visit Southern Explorations to reserve this Peru tour. Southern Explorations offers many tour packages to Peru, Costa Rica, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Bolivia, Agentina, Chile, Patagonia and Panama.