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Special Peru – 6 Days: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, French-speaking guide

from $1,033

Duration

6 days

Type

Guided, Small Group Tours

Difficulty

Easy

Legacy of the Inca Empire – 7 Days: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno, French-speaking guide

Experience an unforgettable journey through the highlights of Peru with this six-day itinerary. Home to one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history, a major center of the colonial era, and boasting eleven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Peru is a truly special destination. Discover its rich history and explore some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet, including the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lima: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Peruvian capital is a showcase of history and modernity. Its historic centre preserves the colonial architectural ensembles that coexist closely with the Pacific Ocean and a characteristic bohemian essence.

Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian past and Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares, and streets are surrounded by hills that conceal remarkable sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Qenqo, as well as Puca Pucará and Tambomachay.

Chinchero and Ollantaytambo: Get closer to the millennia-old heritage and Andean culture that live in these villages in the Sacred Valley, the heart of the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu: The "Lost City of the Incas" is the reason thousands of people come to Peru. Hidden within lush vegetation, it reveals our past through its rooms, temples, bridges, and religious sites, all built in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Inclusions

Operated with a French-speaking guide during the excursions
5 nights' accommodation.
5 breakfasts
2 lunches (Day 4 and 5)
Transfers to/from the airport by private vehicle
Shared transfers to and from train stations
Round-trip train to Machu Picchu in Expedition (PeruRail) or Voyager (Inca Rail) service for Standard and Superior categories, and in Vistadome (PeruRail) or 360° (Inca Rail) service for Deluxe category
Bus Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
All the visits mentioned in the program: Casa Aliaga, Cathedral and Larco Museum in Lima; Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay in Cusco; Chinchero, Yucay Living Museum and Ollantaytambo Fortress in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)

Exclusions

Personal expenses, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during meals, meals or services not explicitly mentioned in the program
Luggage and gratuities
Additional Optional Tours
International flights to Peru
Domestic flights: Lima – Cusco (Day 3) (we recommend booking the first flights in the morning)
Departure taxes from international and domestic airports
Travel insurance or any additional loss or cost resulting from unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL LIMA

Upon arrival at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, a chauffeured vehicle and a representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2 LIMA

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to explore the historic heart of the city. You will be amazed by Casa Aliaga, a colonial residence over five centuries old and considered the oldest continuously inhabited house in South America. Next, you will explore Plaza Mayor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will have the opportunity to admire the majestic Lima Cathedral. Your day will conclude with a visit to the Larco Museum, housed in a magnificent 18th-century colonial mansion. Here, you will journey through more than 5,000 years of Peruvian history via an exceptional collection of ceramics, gold, and silver artifacts. This excursion is shared with other participants.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 3 LIMA – CUSCO (90 min by plane; not included)

A shuttle will pick you up from your hotel at the agreed time and transfer you to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco (not included). Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, one of our representatives will welcome you and escort you to your hotel. Discover the magic of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Your visit will begin at the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the ruins of the Temple of the Sun, Coricancha. You will then admire the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, a masterpiece of religious art. Afterward, you will explore the surrounding hills of Cusco and their archaeological sites, including the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the mysterious complex of Qenqo, and the site of Puca Pucará. The tour concludes at the ruins of Tambomachay, also known as the Baths of the Inca. After this unforgettable day, you will return to your hotel enriched by new discoveries. Please note that this excursion is shared with other travelers, allowing you to enjoy the experience alongside fellow enthusiasts.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 4 CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY

A vehicle will pick you up in the morning and take you to the picturesque village of Chinchero. You will discover its agricultural terraces and its 17th-century colonial church, built on the foundations of an ancient Inca palace and recognized as one of the earliest Catholic constructions in Peru. Along the way, you will stop at a scenic viewpoint to admire the spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley. You will then visit the Yucay Living Museum, where you can observe the creation of textiles, adobe objects, ceramics, and silverware using ancient Inca techniques. You will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch typical of the Sacred Valley. After lunch, you will visit the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, an important ceremonial center renowned for its impressive agricultural terraces climbing the surrounding mountainsides. At the end of this full-day excursion, you will return to your hotel to relax and absorb the renewed Inca spirit. This tour is shared with other travelers.

Overnight in Urubamba.

Day 5 SACRED VALLEY – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (115 km – 8 hrs)

A transport will pick you up from your hotel in Urubamba (Sacred Valley) to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station. This transfer is shared with other passengers. Board the train from Ollantaytambo Station to Aguas Calientes Station (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you'll receive assistance upon arrival. For your return, you will make the same journey. Each route lasts approximately an hour and a half, and schedules are subject to availability. Aguas Calientes, located on the slopes of Machu Picchu, offers a bustling handicraft market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options. Just a 25-minute bus ride away, you'll find Machu Picchu, a marvel of engineering and architecture, which is said to have served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacútec. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," captivates with its historical brilliance and natural majesty. After the tour, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes and then take the train back to Cusco. This tour is shared with other passengers.

You will enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Inkaterra, with a unique view of the Vilcanota River. This restaurant combines Andean cuisine and architecture with contemporary trends, creating dishes with an original taste and fusion style. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo train station after your train journey from Aguas Calientes, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco. This transfer will be shared with other travelers.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 6 CUSCO DEPARTURE

Your Peruvian adventure is coming to an end. A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Cusco Airport.

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

Please Note

The domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. Arrivals at noon are too late.
Please note that check-in at most hotels begins at 13:00. Guests will be subject to room availability if they arrive earlier, and will have to wait in the hotel lobby.
If your trip includes visiting high-altitude cities such as Cusco and Puno, more than 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) above sea level, remember to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Passengers with heart problems or high blood pressure should consult their doctor before travelling.
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical issues or for safety reasons.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW MACHU PICCHU ENTRY REGULATIONSIn order to preserve the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and maintain its World Heritage status, the Ministry of Culture has established various tour routes. The specific tour and time will be assigned based on availability at the time of confirmation of your booking.
The following items are prohibited: professional cameras that require lights and tripods, or with telephoto lenses weighing more than 2 kilograms (special permission and an additional fee are required to use them), drones, selfie sticks, sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tips, banners and posters, sharp objects and backpacks larger than 40 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm.
After the ban on single-use plastic in 76 natural areas, including Machu Picchu, it is important to use reusable bottles.
INSTRUCTIONSCarry the same document as the one presented to the agency, as the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.
On all train services to Machu Picchu, each passenger can only take one piece of hand luggage (backpack, bag or briefcase) weighing a maximum of 5 kg / 11 lbs on the return train to and from Machu Picchu. You will meet your luggage at the chosen hotel. Allowable size: 62 linear inches / 157 cm (height + length + width)